'The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike' by Robert Service
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This is the tale that was told to me by the man with the crystal eye,
As I smoked my pipe in the camp-fire light, and the Glories swept the sky;
As the Northlights gleamed and curved and streamed, and the bottle of "hooch" was dry.
A man once aimed that my life be shamed, and wrought me a deathly wrong;
I vowed one day I would well repay, but the heft of his hate was strong.
He thonged me East and he thonged me West; he harried me back and forth,
Till I fled in fright from his peerless spite to the bleak, bald-headed North.
And there I lay, and for many a day I hatched plan after plan,
For a golden haul of the wherewithal to crush and to kill my man;
And there I strove, and there I clove through the drift of icy streams;
And there I fought, and there I sought for the pay-streak of my dreams.
So twenty years, with their hopes and fears and smiles and tears and such,
Went by and left me long bereft of hope of the Midas touch;
About as fat as a chancel rat, and lo! despite my will,
In the weary fight I had clean lost sight of the man I sought to kill.
'Twas so far away, that evil day when I prayed to the Prince of Gloom
For the savage strength and the sullen length of life to work his doom.
Nor sign nor word had I seen or heard, and it happed so long ago;
My youth was gone and my memory wan, and I willed it even so.
It fell one night in the waning light by the Yukon's oily flow,
I smoked and sat as I marvelled at the sky's port-winey glow;
Till it paled away to an absinthe gray, and the river seemed to shrink,
All wobbly flakes and wriggling snakes and goblin eyes a-wink.
'Twas weird to see and it 'wildered me in a queer, hypnotic dream,
Till I saw a spot like an inky blot come floating down the stream;
It bobbed and swung; it sheered and hung; it romped round in a ring;
It seemed to play in a tricksome way; it sure was a merry thing.
In freakish flights strange oily lights came fluttering round its head,
Like butterflies of a monster size--then I knew it for the Dead.
Its face was rubbed and slicked and scrubbed as smooth as a shaven pate;
In the silver snakes that the water makes it gleamed like a dinner-plate.
It gurgled near, and clear and clear and large and large it grew;
It stood upright in a ring of light and it looked me through and through.
It weltered round with a woozy sound, and ere I could retreat,
With the witless roll of a sodden soul it wantoned to my feet.
And here I swear by this Cross I wear, I heard that "floater" say:
"I am the man from whom you ran, the man you sought to slay.
That you may note and gaze and gloat, and say `Revenge is sweet',
In the grit and grime of the river's slime I am rotting at your feet.
"The ill we rue we must e'en undo, though it rive us bone from bone;
So it came about that I sought you out, for I prayed I might atone.
I did you wrong, and for long and long I sought where you might live;
And now you're found, though I'm dead and drowned, I beg you to forgive."
So sad it seemed, and its cheek-bones gleamed, and its fingers flicked the shore;
And it lapped and lay in a weary way, and its hands met to implore;
That I gently said: "Poor, restless dead, I would never work you woe;
Though the wrong you rue you can ne'er undo, I forgave you long ago."
Then, wonder-wise, I rubbed my eyes and I woke from a horrid dream.
The moon rode high in the naked sky, and something bobbed in the stream.
It held my sight in a patch of light, and then it sheered from the shore;
It dipped and sank by a hollow bank, and I never saw it more.
This was the tale he told to me, that man so warped and gray,
Ere he slept and dreamed, and the camp-fire gleamed in his eye in a wolfish way--
That crystal eye that raked the sky in the weird Auroral ray.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike - A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry
Robert Service was a master of narrative poetry, and his famous poem "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" is a perfect example of his skill. This classic poem tells the story of a legendary outlaw, One-Eyed Mike, who terrorized the western frontier in the 1800s. The poem is rich in detail, character, and imagery, and it captures the spirit of the wild and untamed west in a way that few other works of literature ever have.
The Story
The story of One-Eyed Mike is a classic tale of an outlaw who lives by his wits and his guns. He is a man of few words, but his reputation precedes him wherever he goes. He is feared and respected in equal measure, and his exploits have become the stuff of legend. The poem opens with a description of the scene:
"Out in the wild and woolly west,
Where the coyotes roam and the eagles nest,
There lived a man they called One-Eyed Mike,
A scar-faced, hard-bitten son of a gun."
The scene is set, and the reader is transported to a world of dust and danger, where life is cheap and survival is the only goal. One-Eyed Mike is the king of this world, and he rules it with an iron fist.
The story of One-Eyed Mike is a classic example of the hero's journey. He starts out as a young man with nothing but his wits and his gun. He has no family, no friends, and no home. He is a loner, a drifter, and a killer. But as the story progresses, we see him grow and change. He takes on new challenges, faces new enemies, and learns new skills. He becomes a legend, a hero, and a symbol of hope for the oppressed people of the west.
The Characters
The characters in "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" are richly drawn and memorable. One-Eyed Mike himself is a classic anti-hero, a man who lives outside the law but still manages to capture our sympathy and admiration. He is tough, smart, and resourceful, but he is also vulnerable and human. He has a tragic past, and he is haunted by the memories of his lost love. He is a man who has been hurt and betrayed, and he is driven by his need for revenge.
The other characters in the poem are equally well-drawn. There is the beautiful young woman who captures One-Eyed Mike's heart, and the villainous sheriff who is determined to bring him to justice. There are the other outlaws who join forces with One-Eyed Mike, and the innocent townspeople who suffer at the hands of the corrupt lawmen. Each character is unique and memorable, and they all play a vital role in the story.
The Style
One of the things that makes "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" so memorable is the style in which it is written. Robert Service was a master of the narrative form, and he had a gift for creating vivid, memorable images with his words. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, but it is infused with a sense of drama, suspense, and excitement. The rhyme and meter of the poem give it a musical quality, and the repetition of certain phrases and images creates a sense of rhythm and momentum.
Service also uses a number of literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. He uses alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia to create a sense of sound and rhythm. He uses metaphor and simile to create vivid and memorable images in the reader's mind. And he uses repetition and variation to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
The Themes
"The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" is a poem that explores a number of important themes. At its core, it is a story about justice and revenge. One-Eyed Mike is a man who has been wronged, and he is seeking justice for himself and for others who have been oppressed by the law. He is a hero who stands up for what is right, even if it means breaking the law.
The poem also explores the themes of love and loss. One-Eyed Mike is a man who has been deeply hurt by the loss of his beloved, and he is haunted by memories of her throughout the poem. His love for her is what drives him to seek revenge, and it is what ultimately gives his life meaning.
Finally, "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" is a poem about the power of storytelling. One-Eyed Mike is a man who has become a legend, and his story has been passed down from generation to generation. The poem itself is a testament to the power of storytelling, and it shows how stories can inspire, educate, and entertain people in ways that nothing else can.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry. It is a story that captures the spirit of the wild and untamed west, and it explores a number of important themes that are still relevant today. Robert Service was a master of the narrative form, and he created a poem that is both memorable and moving. If you haven't read "The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike" yet, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a classic work of literature that deserves to be read and appreciated by all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike: A Tale of Adventure and Redemption
Robert Service's classic poem, The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike, is a thrilling tale of adventure, betrayal, and redemption. Set in the rugged wilderness of the Yukon, the poem tells the story of a one-eyed prospector named Mike who sets out to find his fortune in the gold fields, only to be double-crossed by his partner and left for dead. But Mike is not one to give up easily, and he embarks on a perilous journey of revenge and self-discovery that ultimately leads him to redemption.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Yukon, where "the wind is a whip with a bite in its tip" and "the snow is a shroud that will smother a man." This sets the stage for the story of Mike, a tough and determined prospector who is undaunted by the challenges of the wilderness. Mike is a classic hero figure, with his one-eyed gaze and his rugged determination to succeed against all odds.
Mike's journey begins when he teams up with a partner named Jack to search for gold in the mountains. At first, things go well, and the two men work together to dig for gold and survive in the harsh environment. But soon, Jack's true nature is revealed, and he betrays Mike by stealing his share of the gold and leaving him for dead. This betrayal is a turning point in the story, as Mike is forced to confront the harsh reality of life in the wilderness and the treachery of his fellow man.
But Mike is not one to give up easily, and he sets out on a dangerous journey of revenge and self-discovery. He tracks down Jack and confronts him, but instead of seeking revenge, he offers him a chance at redemption. This act of forgiveness is a powerful moment in the poem, as it shows that even in the face of betrayal and hardship, there is still room for compassion and redemption.
As Mike continues his journey, he faces many challenges and dangers, including a fierce blizzard and a pack of wolves. But he perseveres, driven by his determination to find his place in the world and make amends for his past mistakes. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Mary, who becomes his companion and helps him on his journey. Mary is a symbol of hope and renewal, and her presence in the poem adds a touch of warmth and humanity to the story.
In the end, Mike's journey leads him to a new understanding of himself and his place in the world. He realizes that his quest for gold was not just about wealth, but about finding a sense of purpose and belonging. He also learns that forgiveness and redemption are possible, even in the face of betrayal and hardship. The poem ends with a sense of hope and renewal, as Mike and Mary set out on a new journey together, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Overall, The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike is a powerful and engaging poem that captures the spirit of adventure and the human desire for redemption. Robert Service's vivid descriptions of the Yukon wilderness and his compelling characters make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you are a fan of poetry or just love a good adventure story, The Ballad Of One-Eyed Mike is a must-read.
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